County to pay $500,000 in sexual misconduct case

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Genesee County has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a sexual misconduct lawsuit involving a fired sheriff’s lieutenant.

The settlement was announced Wednesday by a lawyer representing four female deputies who sued, saying the county didn’t do enough to stop Michael Chatterson. He also is charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking. The county denies any wrongdoing.

A review of Chatterson’s personnel record obtained by The Flint Journal (https://bit.ly/1gUfriG ) through a Freedom of Information Act request shows he was suspended 10 days without pay in 2006 after four incidents were reported involving female deputies.

Chatterson was fired after allegations surfaced again in 2012.

Chatterson’s defense lawyer Frank J. Manley says the accusations are a civil matter and he hopes the settlement will bring a resolution to the criminal case.

___

Information from: The Flint Journal, https://www.mlive.com/flint